Cleveland mayor takes on teacher union over reform

Mayor Frank Jackson wants to give the superintendent the power to reassign bad teachers and reshape failing schools without union contract barriers. Jackson controls schools through an appointed board.

His original plan angered fellow Democrats and labor allies by challenging timeworn teacher union contracts. Labor leaders called it union busting, and the mayor reached a compromise agreement last week.

State lawmakers expect to take up the enabling legislation this week.

School parent Angel Pruitt says changes are needed to keep families from moving to better suburban school districts.